Sanguis

The Sanguis project aims to develop a new filtration technology to remove antibodies from donated blood components. This business-driven, collaborative project is led by the Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Ltd (NIRI), and draws on the expertise of the four partner organisations, each providing unique knowledge and input to the project. The other partners are chemistry specialists Carbosynth Ltd., leading blood filter manufacturer Macopharma, and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), which provides invaluable input on end user needs.

The feasibility of developing a new blood filter incorporating novel HydroSpace textile technology containing a novel Active Ingredient (AI) for the selective removal of harmful antibodies in donated blood plasma has previously been proven in a previous Technology Strategy Board-funded feasibility study. The Sanguis project team aims to combine NIRI’s patented HydroSpace nonwoven technology and know- how with Carbosynth’s chemistry expertise, to develop a robust, high quality, blood filter which is effective at removing blood group specific antibodies. This filter would enable the production of universal plasma, enabling one plasma product to be transfused to patients of all blood groups resulting in clinical and economic benefits. Once developed, we intend that the blood pack manufacturing partner, Macopharma, will gain Marketing Authorisation Approval and commercialise the filter.

The Sanguis consortium expects that the technology will also demonstrate benefits for platelet filtration and anti-rejection therapies for transplantation. Universal blood components will enable transfusion to all ABO blood groups and allow hospitals to keep a single stock of blood components on site, reducing patient risk from transfusion mismatches and transfusion delays. Emergency services and rapid response units may also benefit from these universally transfusable products. In addition to these clinical and quality of life benefits, health services will be able to reduce wastage, administrative, and logistical costs.